The chicken v egg question is, I think, the key.

If we weren’t rewarded or praised (a kind of reward) for seeming to learn things quickly, for easy skill, or for surface mastery, would we be internally driven to explore and master things we’re not pre-disposed for?

I lean toward, yes. Or, at least I lean toward the notion that we can become “good” at stuff we think we aren’t good at, and can even eventually reach a level of proficiency that people will pay us for that skill if we so desire.

I say that because I’ve seen math students when the light bulb finally clicks on and they suddenly understand a concept and boldly move forward with studies, and I’ve seen non-art people take up drawing or writing or music as a hobby to fill time while a baby sleeps or in inclement months who make great strides with regular practice.